Tension regulator and equalizer for pile fabric looms



Feb. 17, 1948; H. H. FONDA 2,436,067

TENSION REGULATOR AND EQUALIZER FOR FILE FABRIC LOOMS Filed July 26, 1945. 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 :0 Ill 1-] IIIIHIIIIIHIIIHIIHIIIIHI IHIIIIIHHIHIIlllIIlIlIlllHllllllllIl w 6) INVENTOR.

H. H. FONDA Feb. 17, 1948.

TENSION REGULATOR AND EQUALIZER FOR PILE FABRIC LOOMS Filed July 26, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Y J5 J)? M B H. H. FONDA Feb. 17, 1948,

TENSION REGULATOR AND EQUALIZER FOR RILE FABRIC LOOMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 26, 1945 i aten ted Feb. 17, 1948 TENSION REGULATOR AND EQUALIZER FOR PILE FABRIC LOOMS Harold H. Fonda, Skaneateles, N. Y., assignor to Nye-Wait Company, Inc., Auburn,

poration of New York Application July 26, 1945, Serial No. 607,227 13 Claims. (01.- 139-1074) This invention relates to looms, and more especially, to pile fabric looms of the type referred to and disclosed in my joint application with Gustav E. Schulz, Serial No. 607,154, filed of even date herewith, now Patent No. 2,414,064.

The invention herein particularly concerns a means for regulating and equalizing the tension in the warp strands or yarns, such as the surface or pile yarns, although it is to be understood that the invention may also be applied to any other warps or group of yarns where it is desired to regulate and equalize the tension therein. 7

In the normaloperation of a pile fabric loom, the warps and surface yarns. are in a state of almost constant motion due to the action of the heddles or harness in forming the successive sheds. The heddle action, together with the take-up of the fabric as it is woven, draws the warps and surface yarns from .their beams and/or creels located at the rear end of the loom. Thus, unless some means for regulating the tension of the yarns is provided, each strand would be independent of the others and the tension would vary. according to the individual yarn arrangement and let-off from the various beams or yarn N. Y., a corwith, together with a whip ,roll which is so mounted as to be free to oscillate about the axis of the friction roll 1 to apply a beating or pressure action upon the yarns and thereby equalize any unequaltension onthe yarns, preliminary to and without interference with the normal heddle action of the loom,and without producing undue slack or excessive tension in the yarns during the heddle action.

A further object of the inventionis toprovide a tension regulator and egualizerof the character indicated in the foregoing, wherein the friction roll is divided'into sections, with the sections mountedon and fixed to a common shaft for normally simultaneous rotation, but having provision forindividually releasing the respecpackages, owing to the fact that in winding the yarns on the beam or on creel spools or plugs, certain of the yarns will be inadvertently placed under greater strain than others. This results in unequal pay-ofi of'the yarns as the weaving operation is performed by the loom, with consequent non-uniformity of the fabric, which is particularly noticeable in the case of pile or surface yarns by the showing of definite lines or streaks lengthwise of the fabric. 7

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a tension regulator and equalizer which permits the use of a simple creel with a plain type-of tension .on each yarn or strand, and which forces each spool or yarn package to give, up an equal amount of yarn during .the successive weaving operations, in spite of any irregular tensions in the creel ends of the yarns, thereby delivering the yarnsto the loom at ,exactly the same rateso-thatin the formation of each pileloop on the pile wires, the tension on each loop will be uniformlythe same and will produce an even surface on the fabric.

In carrying out the aforementioned'object, the

invention contemplates the provision of a tension regulator and equalizer assembly particularly applicable to pile or surface yarns, and which includes a friction roll over which the yarns are vpassediin substantial frictional contact theretive roll sections at will so that when released, the roll section is free to turn on the shaft without disturbing any other section, thereby permitting a group of yarns to be pulled through the loom one section at a time.

Other and further objects andadvantages of the invention will bev hereinafter described and the novel featuresthereof defined in the appended claims 7 y I In the drawings: i I

Figure 1 is a top plan viewof the rear portion of a loom having myinvention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview taken through the portion of the loom shown in Figure 1; I i

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken onthe line 33 of Figure Land showing the brake means for the fric'tionroll; i}

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of the invention in; which the friction roll is divided into a plurality of sections, and also showing a typical arrangement of creels from which the pile yarns are drawn-into the loom;

Figure 5 is a view inend elevation of one of the friction roll sections of Figure 4, and particularly showing thejnanner in which the friction roll sections are relea'sably connected to a common shaft by; a ratchet and pawl device; and V w T Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5." V

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings which show only the rear portion of a conventional pile fabric m of' well known make, the construction and operation of which will vbe readily understood'byfthose skilled in the art. It is to be understood, however, that my invenframe, as at 28, and its'other end supporting'a weight 21. By varying the number of turns of the flexible member 25 about the drum 24, and/or by varying the number or size-of the weight 21, the drag or braking action on the friction roll I may be adjusted to the desired amount.

In the operation of the loom, as the. weaving action progresses, the pile or surface yarns I are drawn from their source of supply through the comb or spreader, from which they are-directed beneath the idler roll I6, then over the friction roll I3, and finally under the whip roll II before passing to the heddles. Due to the braking action or drag upon the friction roll I3, the yarns I may be fed into the loom from simple creels and with only a very little or plain type of tension on the end of each yarn. Owing to the gripping action or frictional engagement of the friction roll I3 with the yarns I, each creel spool or yarn package is forced to give up an equal amount of yarn in spite of possible irregular tensions in the creel ends f each strand. -As it receives'an equal amount of each yarn, the friction roll I3 delivers to the weaving side thereof at exactly the same rate, and, therefore, the tension on each pile loop as it forms over the pile wires in the loom is unformly the same, resulting in aneven surface on the fabric. For this reason, the tension regulator and equalizer which constitutes my invention, causes the fabric to be constructed more evenly, and much less of the surface'has to be sheared off in order to acquire a smooth finish, thereby reducing waste, increasing quality, and lessening finishing cost.

The friction roll I3 rotates about its own axisat intervals and in amounts regulated by the draw of yarn when the loom is in operation. The greater interval of rotation is produced by the take-up of yarn as the fabric is wovemand therefore in regular beats, and the lesser interval of rotation occurs at a different time and is largely produced by the heddle action and by the oscillating movement of and pressure'produced on the yarns by the whip roll I'I. Through the weight of this whip roll and its frame, a beating or pressure action is produced on the yarns I andautomatically equalizes any unevenness in tension in the individual yarns, yet the combination oftension and weight are so adjusted as to result in proper weaving operation without causing excessive tension or undue slack in the yarns. 1 While the friction roll I3 may have a continuous lengthextending from side to side of the loom, this roll may be divided into a plurality of separate roll sections designated I31, as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The number and length of each roll section may be'varied according to the width of the particular loom towhich the same are appli'ecLand also according to the number of yarns I which may be conveniently provided from a single creel 2 or beam. Where several creels are to be employed, they are. ar-

- ranged side by side, as shown in Figure 4,-and the yarns I from each separate creel pass over a separate friction roll section I 3". The friction roll sections are mounted upon a common shaft '28, and at one or both ends of each foll'section, there is provided a toothed ratchet member 29, each ratchet member being suitably "secured to the shaft 28, as by'a key 30." Carried by each roll section I3 and cooperating with the-respective ratchet members 28 is a pawl or dog- 3 I which is normally engaged with one of the teeth' of its corresponding ratchet member 29; so thata'll of the roll sections will rotate simultaneously. with each other pursuant to rotation of any individual roll sections The dogs or pawls 3I are each piv otally attached to their respective rolls bye, bolt 32 and nut 33, man equivalent fastening meansr. By means of a fiat spring 33' or an. equivalentdevice, the pawl is normally held in engagement with the ratchet member 29, and'the roll section I3 will remain secured tothe shaft 28, but by releasing the spring and swinging the pawl out of engagement with respect to the ratchet mem-V, her, the roll section may be disconnected from the shaft 28 so that it is free to rotate independently of any other roll section. When the pawl is so disengaged, the yarns I passing over the roll section may be pulled through the loom without disturbingany ofthe other roll sections and their yarns, this being particularly advantageousv when changing yarns or replacing creels, or when ripe ping out the fabric as is sometimes necessary.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, it will be seen that the ratchet members 29 and pawls 3| are preferably recessed in the ends of the respective, roll sections, and it will be understood that any one or more of the roll sections may be disengaged at will from the shaft 28 so that the yarns may be freely pulled through the loom one section ate. time, following which the disengaged roll section or sections may be reengaged. with the shaft. 28.

, for simultaneous rotation as required during the normal operationofthe loom.

The equalizing of the. yarn tension aspreviously described is one feature of the invention in the supplying of the yarns uniformly to the loom, while the regulation of thetension itself in the respective yarns is a second feature performed by the invention to prevent excessive ten-' sion and excessive pull on the pile wires. Thus the invention in its tension regulating and tension equalizing functions eliminates an inherent objection and defect which is prevalent in both cross-wire looms and conventional stationary wire looms and provides the ideal operation which results in uniform tension and uniformity of'surface of the fabric.

While the specific details have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as de-; fined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. 'In a loom having provisionfor receiving and directing a plurality of yarns from a source of yarn supply, longitudinally therethrough from back to-front of the loom, means for regulating and equalizing the tension in the individual yarns,

said means including a roll disposed transversely of the loom and having a friction surface over which the yarns are passed in frictionalv contact therewith, and a second rollv spaced from the first with a predetermined and unrestrained pressure.

2. In alo'om through which yarns are adapted to be longitudinally drawn from a source of yarn supply, an idler roll extending transversely across the loom and rotatable about a stationary axis, a

friction roll arranged in spaced parallel relation to said 'idler roll and also rotatable about asta.

tionary axis; said friction roll being located at a higherelevation than theidler roll, and a whip roll arranged inspaced parallel relation to said idlerand'friction rolisand having means for sin porting the same so that: the; position. zofiitssaxis. isf-ree to shift about theraxisvot :the;;fricticm roll; whiiepermittingrth-e whiparoll to rotate-about its own-axis; said rolissdefining: a patha-fomthe yarns-extending; beneath: the. idler-roiLrthenrover the friction roll, and finally :benea'thzthewhip roll,-- so that the whip-roliwilh producaaa beating action on the'yarns'responsivetozoperation of. the loom.

I 3--In a loomthrough whichyarnsme adapted to belongitudinally drawn from. a source. of yarn supply; anidler roll. extending transyersely'sacross the loom and rotatable. about a stationary axis, a friction roll arranged in spaced. parallel :relation-to said idler roiland also rotatableabout astationary said: friction "roll being. located at a higher I eleuati'onxthanzthe:idler .roll, :ancba whip-roll arranged inspaced. parallel relation to: said idler and frictionwrolls and having means for supporting. the *same so that: the position? ofits axis is free to shift about the. axis of thefr iction roll, while permitting'the .whip-rolhto rotate about its own. axis said rolls. defining apath for .the yarns extending :beneath: the .idler roll, then over the friction roll, and .finallylbeneath. the whiprail, so-thatthe whip-roll willzaproduceaa beating action on the'yarns responsive'to operation f the l0om,. in combinationwith sa spreader disposed at the rear of-said rolls and through which the yarns are adaptedto .be. passed inuniform transversely spaced relation.

4. Inaloom-throughwhich' yarns are: adapted to be longitudinally drawn. from :a :sourceof .yarn supply, an idler roll extending-transversely across the loom androtatablerabout a. stationary a friction roll arranged in spacedparalleisrelation to said idler roll and also rotatableaboutv a stationary axis, said frictionrollubeingrlocated at..a higher elevation than the idler roll, and-:a-whiproll-arranged in spaced parallelrelation tousaid idler and friction rolls and having means for supporting the same so that the position of itsraxis is free to shift about the axis oft-he friction roll, while permitting thewhip-roll to rotate about'its own axis, said rolls defining a D th'for thenyarns extending beneath :the :idler roll, then over the friction roll, and finally .beneathithe whip-roll, so that the whip-rollwill produce a beatingaction on the yarns responsive to operation oftheloom,

in combination with a-spreader disposed at the rear. of said rolls and'through which. the: yarns areadapte'd to be passed inuniformtransVersely spaced relation, said spreaderhavingthe' form of an open-top comb.

5. Inna loom through which yarns are adapted to be longitudinally drawnzfroma source of yarn supply; aniidler roll extending transversely across the 1 loom and rotatable about a stationary axis, a frlctio'n roll arranged in.-'spaced parallel relationto said idler roll and also rotatable about a stationary axis, said friction roll being located at .-a higher: elevation than the idler roll, and a whip-roll arranged in spaced parallel relation to said'idler and friction rolls "and having meansfor supporting the same so'that the position of its axisis free to shift about the axis of the friction roll, while permitting the whip-roll to rotate about its own'axissaidrolls defining a path'for the yarns extending beneath the-idlerro'lhthen over the friction roll, and-finally beneath the whip-roll, so :that the .whip-roll will. produce a. beating action on the yarns i'esponsive'to operation of the .loom,. in :combination :withbrake means for. imparting ca. :drag'to. the friction roll.

axis-is free'toqshift about the axis of the friction roll, while permitting .the whip-roll to ro- Cate-aboutv its own axis, said rolls defining a path for-theyyarns-extending beneath the idler roll, then over-the friction roll, and finally beneath the -whip-roll, so that the whip-roll will produce arbeating actlono'n the-yarnsresponsive to operationofttheiioom, incombination with brake. meansifcnimparting a drag to the friction roll,

siaid .;bralre-means including a brake drum. fixed to:=the.:friction.roll and having an external braking surface-onthe-periphery thereof, and a flex- 'rhl'e;friction-memberaextending about. the braking surfacelof-said. drum,- with one end of said flexible frictionmember fixed to the loom at one side of said drum, and the opposite endof said flexible member being'freelysuspended at the opposite sidepfasaiddrum and supporting a weight.

. l. :Ajioom-ras defined in claim 2, wherein the whiperoll .is carried by .a frame .of substantial weight. with *the frame arranged for rocking movementabout the-axis of the friction, roll.

8. A loom as definedin claim 2, wherein said friction .roll is divided into a plurality of separate roll. sections mounted on a common shaft, with the sections arranged on said shaft in spaced relation to each other end-to-end, and including means for releasably securing each roll section to the common shaft aforesaid so that when so secured, the .roll sections will rotate simultaneously; and when released, :each roll section is free tosrotate"independently of the other rollasectionathereby permitting the yarns-to be pulledrthroughathe loom section by section.

A loomas .defined-inclaim 2, wherein said frictionzrollls divided into a plurality of separatez-roli sectionsmounted on a common shaft, with the. sections arranged on said shaft in spaced relation to :each other end-to-end, and including means; for releasablysecuring each-roll section :to :the. common shaft aforesaid, said lastnamed means comprising. a pawl carried by each roll. section and..a ratchetmember for each pawl fixed tothe shaft.

:10.=A: yarn tension'regulator and equalizer assemblyrforlooms, comprising'an idler roll, a frictionrroll, and a whip-roll, said idler and whiprollszheing disposed in parallel relation .to each other. and to the friction roll and atoppositesides of the'axis ;of:-the friction roll, and the whip-roll beingiffreely .ishiftablesabout the-axis. of the f rictionrrolliandadapted to rest upon: the yarns as the .yarnsrpass beneath the idler roll, then over thewfriction roll, :and'finaIIybeneath the whiproll:.so1-that the whip-roll-will produce abeating actlonsonithe yarnsresponsive to operation of. the

loom.

11. 'Aiyarn. tension regulator and equalizerassembly for alooms, comprising an idler roll, a friction rolhand a'whip-roll, said idler and whiprolls'being disposed in parallel relation to each other and *to-the frictionroll and at opposite sidesrof-rth'e :axis ofithe friction roll, and the whiproll being; freely 'shiftable'rabout the axis of the friction roll and adapted to rest upon the yarns as the yarns pass beneath the idler roll, then over the friction roll, and finally beneath the whiproll, so that the whip-roll will produce a beating action on the yarns responsive to operation of the 5 loom, with the yarns maintained in firm frictional contact with the friction roll over substantially one-half of the periphery of the latter.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the whip roll is rotatably mounted in a frame for rotation about its own axis, with the frame supported on the axis of the friction roll and freely shiftable about said latter axis.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in combiination with means for imparting a braking action to the friction roll.

HAROLD H. FONDA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 99 file of this patent:

Number Number France May 2, 1933 

